World leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group (APEC) are gathering in San Francisco this week to discuss trade and economic issues. Shihoko Goto, Deputy Director of the Asia Program, provides an overview of the summit. She describes the importance of the Xi-Biden meeting, why US commitment in the Pacific is important to APEC countries, the alternative path to growth offered by countries in the South East, and the importance of fostering stability among APEC countries given upcoming political transitions in 2024.